A Collection of Branch Motor Express Photos During The Years

EdCraddock

My friend Stan Houghton knows about my obsession with everything related to Branch Motor Express Company. To the new readers Branch in their heydey was one of the top 25 common carriers in the country. Look back among the articles on this website (several years ago) to read a multi part history on the company. It’s very detailed and contains information about their early years.

Anyway, when Stan finds anything about Branch he automatically sends it to me. He knows that the items he sends to me will appear on this website! So, he sent the following photos showing their equipment throughout their existence, from when their trucks and tractors were one color green to when the paint scheme became two shades of green separated by a white stripe with a thin black line.

For the purist I must advise of their domicile of equipment. Conventional road tractors were based out of Milton, PA; Toledo, OH and the other breakbulk terminals from New England to the Great Lakes. COE Sleeper road tractors were domiciled out of Greensboro, NC, a smaller breakbulk facility that opened when Branch finally began operating in the Carolinas starting in the late 1950’s.

Enjoy the photos!

Trucks from the very early years when the company was known as Branch Storage Company
One of the earliest photos of a Branch straight truck from the early 1950’s
Typical of the equipment used when Branch was only operating in PA, NY, NJ
Branch changed their trailer signage to this in the 1950’s and early 1960’s
The first order of Ford COE road tractors included these. Notice the tractor number as all based in Greensboro were numbered in the 7000 and 7100 series.
The next Ford COE purchase were these first generation W Series. Notice the same general numbering were used for new orders.
Second generation Ford W Series
A rare IH Transtar COE that were painted red when I saw them. Perhaps a group of test units or a quick fleet purchase, the only Internationals I ever saw in Greensboro.
After years with Ford W Series COE tractors, Branch went with White Road Commanders for several years. Notice the new paint scheme on the tractor, the trailer signage was about to change also!
After the White Road Commanders Branch went with GMC Astro COE tractors, like this first generation unit. Notice the change in the branding on the trailer, now emblazoned with huge BRANCH signage.

Second generation GMC Astro with same numbering series Branch has used for thirty years!

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the first of the last COE fleet purchase. Who would ever think Branch would buy Kenworth tractors!
Typical of the tandems used to service terminals in the Carolinas from the Greensboro terminal.
White Road Boss units were among the fleet before Branch settled on Ford conventionals.
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One thought on “A Collection of Branch Motor Express Photos During The Years”

  1. I have a 1953 Fruehauf Stainless Steel West Coast Trailer that was was owned by Watson Bros. Transportation Co. It has their Name Still Left On The One Side Of The Trailer With The Long Arrow Under That. It is In Very Good Shape For Its Age.

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